This weekend: High fashion, new hula, slack-key luau

You take off a week for the Ironman in Kona, and what awaits at home? A virtual marathon of intriguing Hawaiian-style events in the Bay Area and Northern California over the next two weeks–I’d better hydrate to keep up. Some highlights for this weekend:

Friday: Honolulu designer Anne Namba visits the Hotel Drisco tomorrow and Saturday for her annual San Francisco sale and trunk show, plus a special appearance at Punahou grad Dean Shibuya‘s Saturday afternoon reception at his S.F. home celebrating the revival of the San Francisco Lyric Opera company (he’s managing director.) For details, see today’s post in the S.F. Unzipped blog.

Saturday-Oct. 23: Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu, directed by kumu Patrick Makuakāne, presents the always highly entertaining “The Hula Show” this Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 15-16) and again Oct. 21-23 at the Palace of Fine Arts. According to Beth Hughes’ interview with Makuakāne in the Chronicle’s Style section, which explored the origins of the innovative troupe, this year’s production includes inspiration from India, Turkey, Samoa and Spain as well as Waiāanae. The historic connections between Hawai‘i and San Francisco (a/k/a Kapalakiko) will also be celebrated with original chants created by composer and linguist Puakea Nogelmeier, while The Golden Gate Men’s Chorus will join the troupe on Oct. 21 and 23 for a cappella accompaniment. Friday and Saturday night shows are at 8 p.m., Sunday matinees at 4; tickets are $35 and $45. See the Web site for details on VIP packages, a $10 hourlong family show at 12 p.m. Oct. 23, and above all, parking, which is a little complicated due to construction.

Sunday: Slack-key guitar greats and father-son duo George Kahumoku Jr. and Keoki Kahumoku play a lū‘au benefit for the Lincoln Theater in Yountville. The 5 p.m. lū‘au dinner show includes music by Faith Ako and Kāwika Alfiche (whose new CD, Kale‘a, is well worth ordering), plus hula from Alfiche’s Hālau o Keikiali‘i. Tickets for the 7 p.m. Kahumoku concert are $25-$35; with lū‘au, $90 (call 707-944-9900 to see if two-for-one discount tickets are still available). Note: The Kahumokus also play Sierra College in Rocklin (near Sacramento) on Saturday at 4 p.m.; tickets are $15-$20.

Looking ahead: The first Berkeley Hawaiian Music Festival takes place Oct. 21 at Freight & Salvage, with visiting headliners Dennis Kamakahi, Kawika Kahiapo and Weldon Kekauoha, plus hometown slack-key recording artist (and festival producer) Patrick Landeza and other musicians from Hawai‘i and the Bay Area; doors open at 7 p.m. with music by Pūlama in the lobby and the main show at 8. The Sacramento Aloha Festival also debuts next weekend, with free entertainment, vendors and workshops from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 22 at the state fairgrounds.